Self Defense Techniques

When Self Defense Techniques Are Appropriate

The improper or ill-timed use of self defense techniques have resulted in thousands of lawsuits across the US and the UK. 'Self defense' is actually something of a misnomer, because in reality any technique that can be used to defend yourself can also be used as an attack. Because of that, it's often up to a jury to decide whether a given strike or lock was actually self defense or was, in reality, an unnecessary aggressive action.

Legal definitions of justifiable self defense exist in every culture and every country, but they vary widely between those cultures and countries. In general, you must be able to prove that your physical actions were strictly intended to save you or another person from death, serious injury, or grievous property damage. If you can't prove that -- and there have been cases of people attacking robbers in their own home who couldn't -- your actions might be interpreted as a crime .

Learning self defense consists of three areas: self defense techniques, self defense tactics, and self defense training. Techniques are movements such as strikes and locks and throws. Tactics are mental activities such as sitting with your back to a wall that are designed to minimize the chance of an attack. Training is the method with which you make techniques and tactics an innate and everyday part of your life.

In order to be fully prepared for a physical attack, you have to implement all three areas in balance. Knowing the techniques and tactics without training them into your muscle memory is a waste of time. Knowing the tactics and training your mind to use them is good, but it's pointless to be aware of an attack if you can't do anything about it. And training endlessly in techniques is perfectly silly if you're unaware and get caught off guard and taken out before you can implement them.

There is something of a desire to prove your abilities once you start learning self defense tactics. 'How will I know if this is actually working if I don't get attacked,' the trainee thinks. This is especially true of those who choose to learn from a martial arts DVD rather than a live teacher. That can lead to improper use of self defense techniques, as the trainee becomes belligerent, attempting to provoke a fight in order to test themselves and the martial arts DVD.

That is the first step down a long slope that can easily end in jail time or million-dollar lawsuits. It is imperative to always keep in mind that the first goal of any system of self defense is to avoid combat, not win fights. The chief difference between self defense and asskicking is in intent and awareness.

As mentioned, they can be legally very difficult to discern, but in essence, if your goal is to incapacitate someone and thus keep them from harming someone or some property, you're in the right. The instant you cross over and let emotions get the best of you -- the moment you strike an unnecessary blow out of anger or fear -- you are no longer defending yourself. That's why mental training is just as much a part of self defense as physical self defense techniques are.